~ Deborah Carter Mastelotto

I love Tarot cards, and I love teaching people how to have fun with them, but I do admit they can be complex and sometimes difficult to understand. That’s why Oracle cards have become such an important item in so many metaphysical bookstores and peoples lives.

I recently visited one of my favorite places in Woodstock, a lovely bookstore right on the main road. This visit I found she now carried a giant selection of Oracle cards, at least double the number of Tarot card decks for sale, in her store. The owner told me Oracle decks outsell Tarot decks now at least four to one!

What is an ‘Oracle deck’? Oracle decks are like tarot cards, but much simpler.

You don’t have to place them in a certain way, or memorize their meanings, or know what they all mean together or when pulled in a certain order. You just shuffle the deck, pull the card or cards that feel right, and read what they say.

Most of us, even experienced Tarot readers, have a cute deck of oracle cards handy and pull one card each day just to see what’s up. The theory is, you can use anything in your environment as an oracle— a random book off the book shelf, the sudden appearance of a quote that hits you hard, or even a random comment from a stranger.

The energy of meaning comes from you. So, picking a random card from a deck on your bedroom night stand works equally as well as a big two hour Tarot card reading from an expert reader, sometimes better. Because your expectations are lower, you can be much more casual with an oracle deck, so often you aren’t blocking your own magic.

Tarot comes from an ancient tradition, and that’s part of its appeal. Oracle cards, however, have a more modern origin, and they use a lot of different themes and advice texts, and the images can be really creative. You just need to find a deck that appeals to you, either because of the art work or the theme, or the words used on each card.

Also, you aren’t limited to THE deck. I have many different Oracle card decks, and I trade off, depending on my mood. I’m currently even creating an Oracle deck of my own for my daughter’s salon.

With Oracle decks there are no rules. Most Oracle decks come with a guide book, but I find the more complicated the Oracle system is, the less likely I am to use it regularly. I still have the Tarot, after all.

The guide book that comes with the deck will probably have detailed descriptions for each card, and some suggestions for spreads, but in my opinion the best Oracle decks combine pretty pictures with very clear and specific texts right on each card. You mix the cards up a bit, pull one card, read it aloud to yourself, and go about your day. Easy, right?

Typically, Oracle decks are a bit more positive than Tarot cards. Tarot cards can sometimes be perceived as ominous, and with cards like ‘DEATH’, THE TOWER’, the Ten of Swords, and THE DEVIL, it’s no wonder some folks might be a bit afraid of them.

Usually Oracle decks are much lighter in feel and temperament. Their appeal is that they address an issue your soul may be struggling with that day and their relevance can feel immediate. I have a friend who kept drawing the same Oracle card every day, a card about not being afraid to reach outside her comfort zone. She came to me to ask what it meant but I didn’t need to interpret it for her—a week later her boss gave her a raise and a promotion. And a month later she got a new desk.

You will most likely pull a card suggesting an action that feels right to you, about something your soul might be wrestling with and some advice on what to do about it. The advice usually feels clear, specific, and completely doable. What could be better?

So, back to my suggestion—why not throw an Oracle Card Party? It would be easy and really fun. You can either use one deck for everyone and each take a turn, or have all the guests bring and use their own copy of the same deck, or each guest chooses and brings a different Oracle deck. Everyone brings a dish (like your book club!), the host lights candles, puts some flowers in a vase, puts on some soft background music, and drapes scarves around the room.

Pick your theme, there’s no wrong way to have an oracle party, as long as you keep it fun and positive. Invite some friends, eight to ten is a good group, but as few as two or three is still fun.

Go around in a circle of your guests and have each guest pull a card and do a reading. They may say the name of the card out loud, then read out loud what the enclosed guidebook has to say. Don’t be surprised if this party gets personal. Some guests will even freak themselves out.

Expect some truly amazing results Each of your guests will end up sharing what is really going for them. And all will join in on the discussion about how to implement the advice on each drawn card. It’s powerful stuff, important and intimate, and real communication begins to happen about the things that matter to us.

Start planning your Oracle party now. Maybe I’ll let you know when my ownOracle deck is ready and we’ll get together, have a party, with it and test it out.

~ Deborah Carter Mastelotto